‘Petraeus’ Author Peter Mansoor to Speak at First Division Museum

The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton announces a free presentation by author Peter R. Mansoor on Thursday, October 24, at 7:30 pm.

Mansoor will discuss his book, "Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War." The book will be released to the public on October 29, but advance copies will be available at this event.

"Surge" covers a wide range of material from an insider’s view. Topics include: the controversial counterinsurgency doctrine developed at Fort Leavenworth; the struggle with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to understand the conflict; the soldiers’ experience in the streets of Baghdad; and General Petraeus’ congressional testimony. Mansoor consulted newly unclassified documents to support his work, along with unpublished manuscripts, interviews and other documented sources.

A retired U.S. Army colonel, Mansoor is currently the General Raymond E. Mason, Jr., Chair of Military History at The Ohio State University in Columbus. He served as executive officer to General David H. Petraeus during the surge of 2007–08. Petraeus at the time was Commanding General of Multi-National Force-Iraq, overseeing all coalition forces in Iraq.

Doors open at 6:45 pm on October 24. A book signing will follow the presentation and copies of "Surge" will be available for purchase.

Admission and parking are complimentary. For more information, please call 630.260.8227.

The event is part of the First Division Museum’s popular series, A Date with History. The monthly programs feature an evening of lively discussion with authors, panelists, historians and special speakers. Information about upcoming programs is online at FirstDivisionMuseum.org.